Ledger safe and the like



y 26, 1942- w. c. MILLER ET AL 2,284,531

LEDGER SAFE AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 2, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 FIT l I03 FT Q. 2.

I3 W/LL/H'M C M5 32 A BY EARL. BOUGHTON chip, mm, am, WM OOW ATTORNEY-3.

May 26, 1942. w. c. MILLER ETAL LEDGER SAFE AND THE LIKE i1 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D80. 2, 1937 I IQ.

INVENTOR5- W/L z. l/QM C M/LLER BY EARL BOUGHTO N wmu wuzh ow WN ATTORNEYS.

May 26, 1942. w. c. MILLER ETAL LEDGER SAFE AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 2, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet 3 May 26, 1942.

w. c. MILLER ETAL LEDGER SAFE AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 2, 193'? 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 26, 1942. w. c. MILLER ETAL LEDGER SAFE AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 2, 1937 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 m m R E mmmm m m A cw New L L E HEM 1942- w. c. MILLER ETAL 2,284,531

LEDGER SAFE AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 2, 1937 11 S he t s-Sheet 7 26 Q? INVENTORS. A Ij WILL/HM C MILLER BY [EU-7L Bo {/G-HTON m, 0.11%. QW MFQW ATTORNEYS May 26, 1942- w. c. MILLER ETAL 2,234,531

LEDGER SAFE AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 2, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTORS, lA/lLL/AM C MILLER EARL BOUGHTON m, milk 0% MYDW ATTORNEYS.

May 26, 1942- w. c. MILLER ETA-L LEDGER SAFE AND THE LIKE ll Sheets-Sheet 19 Filed Dec. 2. 1937 INVENTORS MLL IHM C N11. LER EHRL. BOUGH TON cit/13th, W41, W

ATTORNEYS.

May 26, 1942. I w. c. MILLER ETAL LEDGER SAFE AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 2, 1957 11 Sheets-Sheet l1 mm mum BLT O WMHW IMWQ /A G WHOM, mi ln w NEW Patented May 26, 1942 LEDGER SAFE AND THE LIKE William C. Miller and Earl Boughton, Canton, Ohio, assignors to Diebold Safe & Look 00., Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 2, 1937, Serial No. 177,806

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a ledger safe and the like. It is useful in connection with any vertical safe structure in which expansible or rotatable file supporting structures are employed.

It has heretofore been the practice to provide counterbalancing mechanism by which file supports may be lifted nearly to the top of a safe structure, the weight of the closure usually being employed as the counterbalance for raising the file support. With this type of structure, it is usually necessary to remove the contents of the safe in order to have ready accessibility to the files and other contents.

The present invention contemplates a safe structure in which the contents thereof are elevated to a position above the well of the safe and are so supported as to be readily expanded or rotated into a position greater than the contour of the safe well, in which position the files or other contents of the safe may be manipulated as elfectively and even more eflectively than they would be if placed upon a separate table. A further object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism for raising and lowering the expansible files and for maintaining the same in desired positions. A still further object is to provide cooperating closure means for housing the files and elevating mechanism, the closure means being supported, when closed, in effective protecting position and, when open, in a convenient position away from the files. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated, in preferred embodiments, by the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the safe and mechanism associated therewith embodying our invention, the section being taken as indicated at line l-l of Fig. 3; Fig. 2, a perspective view of the structure, the ledger tray or card support being rotated to a position extending beyond the contour of the well of the safe; Fig. 3. a transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a sectional detail view. of the supporting table or tray support; Fig. 5, a broken enlarged plan view of the ledger safe and showing link and roller supporting mechanism for the door or closure; Fig. 6, a sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 6A, a broken part sectional view showing the door in vertical position; Fig. 7, a broken sectional detail view, the section being taken as indicated at line l-l of Fig. 6; Fig. 8, a broken sectional detail view, the section being taken as indicated at line 8-8 of Fig. 5; Fig. 9, a broken enlarged side view of the spring drum and the worm for tensioning the spring; Fig. 10, a sectional view of the power spring case, the section being taken as indicated at line Ill-Ill of Fig. 3; Fig. 11, a bottom plan view of the locking bolt structure with which the top closure is equipped; Fig. 12, a sectional detail view, the section being taken as indicated at line I2-I2 of Fig. 11; Fig. 13, a sectional detail view, the section being taken as indicated at line l3-I3 of Fig. 11; Fig. 14, a broken top plan view of the platform which is raised and lowered within the well of the safe; Fig. 15, a side view in elevation, the view being taken as indicated at line l5-I5 of Fig. 14; Fig. 16, a broken front view in elevation, the View being taken as indicated at line 16-16 of Fig. 14; Fig. 17, a broken sectional detail view, the section being taken as indicated at line Il-l'l of Fig. 14; Fig 18, a sectional view of a modified form of raising mechanism in which an electric motor is employed; Fig. 19, a schematic view of the wiring layout employed in the structure shown in Fig. 18; Fig. 20, a sectional view, on line 22-22 of Fig. 21, of apparatus employed for raising elevated mechanism, the apparatus being substantially like that shown in the preferred form, the elevated parts supporting a card index as well as a file tray; Fig. 21, a sectional view taken as indicated at line 23-23 of Fig. 20; and Fig. 22, a sectional view similar to Fig. 18 but showing a modified form of electric raising mechanism.

The main parts and functions of the structure contemplated in the present invention may be summarized briefly as follows. A safe having a vertical well therein is equipped with a closure member which may be slid to one end thereof and then tilted into a vertical and out-of-theway position. Within the well of the safe is provided mechanism for raising and lowering a platform on which are carried rotatable or expansible file supports. The lifting or lowering mechanism may be positive, that is, a power mechanism may be used for accomplishing the raising and lowering; or the raising and lowering may be partly manual, the weight of the files being accurately counterbalanced by spring or other mechanism; or the lifting mechanism may consist of automatic means for raising the platform part way, manual means being employed for lifting it the remainder of the way. Of course, many other arrangements may be employed for facilitating the raising and lowering of the platform. Upon the platform is supported an expansiolc tray support. The support may expand by rotating it so that a portion of the tray extends beyond the walls of the safe, or it may be expanded by drawing out slidable members or hinged members so that portions of the tray extend beyond the walls of the safe. In this position, the files are readily accessible and the platform serves as a table, so that the work can be done without removing any of the tray supports from the device. At the same time, the expanding or rotating of the parts permits the tray to be operated with great ease and effectiveness. For example, after consulting the cards on one side of a file, the operator may rotate the tray support to bring another portion of the file immediately in front of her. Likewise, the trays can be drawn close to or pushed away from the operator without making it necessary for the operator to move. When the operation is completed, the expanded parts are rapidly collapsed to their original compact position and the tray support thus made to conform to the contour of the well whereby it may be rapidly lowered into its protected position within the well. The closure can then be drawn to locking position.

Referring more specifically to the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 16 inclusive, A designates a safe casing equipped with a closure A; B designates raising and lowering mechanism; and C, file or tray supports which may be lifted out of the well and expanded or rotated to the desired positions and then contracted for lowering within the well.

The safe structure A may be of any suitable type or construction. In the illustration given, a sheet metal inner shell I I is provided, the space therebetween it and the shell l being filled with any suitable filling 2 of refractory, fire-resistant material, such as, for example, a suitable cement composition. The safe is shown supported upon rollers 3. The safe is provided with suitable configurations at its rear ,sides to provide an interlock with matched configurations of the safe door A, As shown more clearly in Fig. 3, the safe is provided at its inner upper sides with channel bars or guides |4 adapted to receive rollers by which the door A is supported.

The safe door A is preferably constructed similarly to the safe A having a casing l5 filled with a similar cement composition l6 or other suitable filling material. It is provided at its forward end with a handle I 1. It is also provided at a point intermediate its length with hollow trunnions It! by which it is adapted to be supported when rotated to the vertical position shown in Fig. 1. Extending through the hollow trunnions |8 are locking bolts l9 which are adapted to engage aligned recesses |9 in the walls of safe A for locking the door in position when the door is drawn to closed position. The closure A is also provided with an ordinary combination lock 28 which is operated by the usual dial knob 2|. The combination lock controls a bolt 22, which in turn dogs the rotatable plate 23 equipped, as shown more clearly in Fig. 11, with eccentric pivoted slides 24, the slides or levers 24 being connected to the bolts I9. Such locking structure being old and well known in the art, a further detailed description is believed unnecessary. A spring 25 is employed for maintaining the bolts NJ in normally extended or looking position so that when the door is drawn to closed position, the bolts IE! will immediately slide into the looking recesses in casing A when they become aligned with said recesses. The locking plate or disk 23 is controlled by a suitable handle or knob 26 which extends on the outer side of the door A adjacent the dial 2|. At its forward side, the closure A is provided with a roller-equipped pin 21 which is adapted to engage the guide channel M with which sale A is provided so as to maintain the closure A in horizontal position.

The door A is supported upon roller-equipped link mechanism which will now be described. The hollow trunnion l8. which is secured to the door of closure A and through which extends the latching bolt I9, is carried by a pair of parallel links 28, as shown more clearly in Fig. 6. The metal wall 5 of the door A is reinforced with a heavy metal liner 29 engaged by flange 30 of the hollow trunnion |8, as shown more clearly in Fig, 8. As shown more clearly in Fig. 8, the hollow trunnion I8 is reduced at 3| to receive the annular ring 32, the ring 32 being recessed at its corners to receive the supporting members 28.

The links 28, on each side of the safe, extend rearwardly and are provided with a pair of spaced rollers 33, as shown more clearly in Figs. 5 and 7. The rollers 33 are supported upon ball bearings 34, as shown more clearly in Fig. '7.

In order to retain the link members 28 within the U-shaped guide N, we provide an angle iron retaining member 35, as shown more clearly in Fig. 7. The link mechanism just described supports the door A in the rear vertical position shown in Fig. 1, while at the same time enabling the door A to be moved easily into horizontal position, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

We provide suitable mechanism for limiting the outward movement of the links while at the same time providing means for releasing such limiting means. Such latching means are shown more cizzarly in Figs. 5 and 6. They consist of a pair of oivotally connected members 36 and 31, the member 36 having its front portion adapted to engage a slot 38 in the guide |4 so as to stop the links 28 in the position shown in Fig. 5. It will be observed that the member 36 has on its rear side a concave or beveled portion 39 which causes the member 36 to be drawn downwardly when the links 28 move rearwardly. It will be understood that the pivot connecting the members 36 and 31 extends through the two link members 28 so that the latch mechanism travels with the links or slides 28. The latch member 31 extends upwardly under the force of a connecting spring 40 through a slot 4| in the guide |4 so as to lock the slides 28 against rearward movement. The latter latch 31 is released by engagement with the roller-equipped pin 21 with which the door is provided near its forward end. Thus when the door A is pressed downwardly to horizontal position, the member 21 depresses the latch 31 to break its engagement with the slot 4|, thus permitting the slide 28 to be drawn rearwardly. In such rearward action, the concave wall 39 of latch 36 causes latch 36 to be depressed. The two latch members 36 and 31 may be connected in any suitable way. In the illustration given, the latch 31 is in the form of a flat metal strip received within bifurcations of latch 36 and pivotally secured therein and to the extension slides 28 by means of pivot pin 42. Spring 48 draws both members upwardly toward their respective locking slots.

The raising and lowering mechanism B may be of any suitable construction. In the illustration given, in Figs. 1 to 17 inclusive, a platform member 43, which carries the file supporting devices C, is mounted. for vertical movement upon parallel extension links. As shown in the drawings, the extension links comprise the lower links 44 and 45 pivotally connected at 46 and the upper links 41 and 46 pivotally connected at 49. The lower portion of link 44 is pivotally connected to a fixed shaft 56 which is supported by brackets secured to the bottom lining II of the safe A. The other lower link 45 has its bottom portion secured ,to a roller member 6| confined between roller guides 52, the guides 52 being formed by a pair of angle bars welded or otherwise secured to the bottom lining, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. The top link 41 has its upper end secured to a fixed pivot 53, while the upper link 46 has its upper end secured to a roller member 54 slidably secured within guides 65. The extension guides upon the opposite sides of the safe, as shown in Fig. 3, are identical except that they are reversed in position with respect to the fixed and movable pivot points for the guides.

Each of the links 45 is provided with a flange 56 which is provided with a perforation through which extends the flexible member 51. The lower end of the flexible member 51 is secured within a rounded nut 58. Each of the flexible members 51 extends over an adjacent pulley 59 and the end of each flexible member is secured within grooves carried by the driving drum 66 by spot welding or other means. The flexible members 51 may be formed of stranded wire or other suitable sturdy and flexible material. It will thus be seen that upon rotation of drum 66, the flexible members can be shortened in length or lengthened so as to elevate or lower the extension guides.

Any suitable means may be employed for driving the drum 66. A spring motor may be used for this purpose. If desired, an electric motor may be used. Also, if desired, manually operated mechanism may be employed with driving drum 66. In the illustration given, in Figs. 1 to 17 inclusive, a spring motor is employed. The spring is housed within a motor casing 6I which is secured to the lining II of the safe by means of bolts 62, as shown more clearly in Fig. 10, the casing 6| being engaged by metal straps 63 and the metal straps being engaged by the bolts 62. The driving drum 66 is mounted on a shaft 64 of reduced diameter, the shaft 64 being journaled within ball bearings 65 carried by casing 6|. An inner drum 66 is fixed to shaft 64 and lies between the bearings 65. The spring within the casing may be of the band type secured to the inner drum 66, the other end being secured to the annular winding ring 61, ring 61 being provided exteriorly with a worm rack 66. Any suitable means for engaging the rack 66 for driving the winding ring 61 may be employed. As shown more clearly in Fig. 9., a worm 69 is rotatably mounted in bracket supports 16 fixed by means of bolts 1| to the lining II on one side and plate 63 on the other side. The worm 69 is hollow and receives a vertically extending winding shaft 12 which is provided with a key 13 engaging a'corresponding groove in the worm 69. By this means, shaft 12 may be raised or lowered while still being in engagement with worm 69. The upper end of the shaft 12 is provided with a winding handle 14.

In order to prevent the winding ring 61 from rotating under the force of the spring, we use threads'of such pitch, both in worm 69 and gear rack 68, as to frictionally engage and prevent such movement. Other suitable means may be employed. The handle 14, when dropped to lowermost position by sliding shaft 1 2 downwardly through the hollow gear 69, may be employed to engage lugs preventing rotation of the handle and thereby rotation of the winding gear or ring 61.

The platform 43 is preferably provided with rollers 15 which facilitate .the rotation of the parts thereabove. As shown more clearlyin Figs. 14 and 17, the rollers 15 are confined with the slots 16 of platform 43 by means of short rods 11, the rods 11 being spot welded to the top of platform 43. Also, the platform is preferably provided with a ball locking member 16 which is normally urged in an upward direction by a spring housed within tube 19. The ball is adapted to be brought into engagement with depressions carried by members thereabove so as to releasably lock the members in position.

Any suitable latching means may be employed for latching the platform 43 in raised position. In the illustration given, the platform 43 is provided at its front with spring actuated and outwardly extending latch bars 66 and 6|, each of the bars being provided at its outer end with a slot 62 and a cam surface 63. The latch members are adapted to engage the upper edge of the track member I4, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3, in order to lock the platform in raised position. The latch bars are slidably guided in the front portion of platform 43 and are actuated by a lever 84 which is accessible at its upper end through slot 65. The lever 64 is pivoted, as shown more clearly in Fig. 16, at 66. Bar 66 is pivoted to the lever 64 at 61. Latch bar 6| is provided with a depending extension 66 which is in turn pivoted to lever 64 at 89. The latch bars are urged outwardly by the spring 96 which engages flange 9| with which bar 6| is equipped and the fixed flange 92 secured to the platform 43.

The mechanism C may be of any suitable construction. In the illustration given, it comprises a table n ember 93 which is, pivotally supported upon platform 43 by means of pivot stud 94. The lower threaded end of stud 94 is engaged by a lock nut 95. Table 93 is provided with spaced recesses 96 adapted to receive the spring pressed locking ball 18 carried bythe platform 43. In the specific table shown, a partition 91 is formed in the central portion of the table, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4, and the table is also provided with side walls 98, the walls being slotted at the points indicated by the numeral 99. Latch bars I 66 are secured to the sides 99, being pivoted at the point IN. A spring I62 is supported in engagement with the latch I66 so as to maintain it normally in down position in which the latch engages slots in the floor of the withdrawable tray supports I63. The latch members I66 are each provided with a button I64 extending through the slot 99. Thus the latches I66 ma be raised so as to disengage the tray section I63 and permit it to be drawn forward until the latch engages the next slot therein. When it is desired to return the section I63 to its former compact position, it is simply slid rearwardly, the cam surface of the latch I66, permitting it to reach its former position and to be there secured in position by engagement with the latch. It will be understood that the details of construction of the card or file support may be modified widely. In the specific form of tray illustrated, the sections I63 are provided at their top with overhanging flanges I65. The card supports I66 are carried by sector members I61, the sector members being pivoted at I08 to the sides of the members I03, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1. The sectors I01 permit the members I06 to be swung inwardly and outwardly to a limited extent, the upper surlaces of the sector members I01 being brought Operation In the operation of the device, assuming that the safe is closed and locked, the combination knob 2I is operated to release bolt 22. Handle 26 is then turned to withdraw the bolts I which engage recesses I9 in the casing A. The door A is then moved rearwardly until the roller pin 21 reaches the slot M in the guide I4, the stop 36 preventing further backward movement. The door may then be lifted upwardly to allow it to swing to the open position shown in Fig. 1, the door being supported upon hollow trunnions I0.

The platform 43 carrying the file supporting mechanism C may now be raised in either of two ways. The spring winding handle 14 may be elevated and rotated to tension the spring to the point that the spring itself will drive drum. 60 and through the flexible members 51 lift the extension members and the platform carried thereby. We prefer, however, to have the spring tensioned only to the point at which it substantially counterbalances the weight of the burden supported by the platform 43. With this arrangement, after the door A has been opened to the position shown in Fig, 1, it is merely necessary for the operator to grasp handle I09 and to pull upwardly, this slight force being sufficient to raise the platform and files. Should the files be increased or diminished, the operator can tension the spring so as to just about balance the weight of the files and supporting structure therefor. It is preferred to have the spring tensioned to the point where the files will come to rest slowly in the lower part of the well, the force of the spring being, however, sufficient to aid materially in raising the file supporting structure.

As soon as the platform 43 with the file supporting structure C has reached its elevated position, it is locked in this position by the spring actuated latch arms 80 and 8| which engage the upper flange of the guide I4. In this position, the file support table is rotated to a convenient position and, when desired, one of the sections I03 is extended upon raising latch member I00. In the use of the card supporting tray mechanism C, the table may be rotated at number of times and the sections I03 extended and contracted.

When thefile structure C is to be again returned to the safe, the sections I03 are pushed into contracted position and the table 93 is rotated to a position in which it can be readily drawn into the well of the safe. The latch bars 00 and BI are then released by moving the lever 04, as shown in Fig. 16, to the right. The weight of the files and supporting structure being sufficient to slightly overcome the force of the spring, the platform 43 and the file structure C thereabove sink slowly into the well, coming to rest below the top surface thereof. The cover A is next drawn downwardly and forwardly so that the roller-equipped pin 21 engages the latch 31. The door is drawn still further inwardly so :as to bring the roller pin 21 under the guide I4.

At the same time, the cam surface 30 of the stop 36, which halted the outward movement of the links 28, causes the latch 36 to move downwardly underneath the guide channe I4. The door A is now maintained in the horizontal position by engagement of roller 21 with the guide I4 and is drawn toward the forward end of the safe, bringing the inner locking configurations of the door and safe together. In this position, the locking bolts I9, which are normally urged outwardly by the spring 25, slip into the locking recesses I9. The combination lock is turned so .as to dog the plate 23 and to prevent withdrawal of the bolts 23 until the combination is again set for unlocking and the bolt 23 withdrawn.

In the foregoing description of the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 17 inclusive, it will be observed that there are at least two structures which may be modified greatly without changing the invention. For example, any form of rotating, withdrawable or otherwise expansible file or card supporting structure may be employed. In other words, a great range of card or file supports may be employed in the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

In addition, it will be understood that many different types of power means for raising and lowering the inner structure may be substituted for the spring motor shown. In the following portion of the specification, we will describe at least two forms of power means, one being an electric motor and the other utilizing a weight counterbalance and manually operated means.

In the modification shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the safe F is provided on its interior with a motor I30. The link mechanism I3I is substantially the same as that heretofore described except that a springI32 is employed as shown. The motor drives a grooved drum I 33 which is identical with that heretofore described and which in turn operates the flexible members I34 which are identical with those heretofore described. At the upper rear side of the safe, a switch block I35 is supported containing two spring pressed button switches I36 and I31. When the upper button I36 is pressed, the motor drives drum I33 to raise the links I 3I and the platform and structure C supported thereby. After the platform has reached its upper position, it is automatically latched in that position and the motor is cut oil. When the platform is to be lowered within the safe, button I31 is pressed which drives the reversible motor I30 in the opposite direction so as to lower the structure.

Referring to the schematic showing in Fig. 19, the current passes through line I38 and, when button I31 is depressed, through line I30, through the solenoid I40, and thence back through line MI and line I42. The solenoid I40 draws the latch I43 out of engagement with guide I44 and at the same time moves the contact I45 against contact I46. Current can now pass through the line I38, switch I31, solenoid I41, and thence through line I48 to motor I30, causing the motor to turn in the direction necessary forlowering the platform. Should the spring pressed button I31 now be released, since the operation of solenoid I 41 connects lines I49 and I5I, the current still flows to the motor I30 through line I38, line I49, switch I50, and back to switch 'I 31 through line I5I. Then the current follows the old course through the solenoid winding I41 and line I48 to the motor. From the motor the current passes through line I52 to contact I45 and through contact I46 back through line I42. While the spring-pressed button Is depressed, the operation of the motor I30 causes the mechanism supporting the latch I43 to move downwardly and the side wall of the case causes the plunger to be maintained in its initial position, thus holding contacts I45 and I46 in engagement. When the spring-pressed button I31 is released, the current flow through the solenoid I40 is discontinued since line I31 is now open and the solenoid ceases to function. However, the contacts I45 and I48 are maintained in engagement because of the inner lining of the casing which engages the latch member I43. when the spring pressed latch I43 reaches the lower position, it is snapped into latching position within recess I53 and breaks the contact between the members I45 and I46 which are carried by the platform. Thus the current flow to the motor I30 stops.

The operation with respect to switch I36 is identical except that the motor is caused to turn in the opposite direction so as to lift the platform. The current passes from line I38, through line I54, through switch I36 and line I55 to the solenoid I40, thus causing the latching member I43 to be retracted and the contact between points I45 and I46 to be made. Current now flows through line I54, switch I36, solenoid winding I56 and line I51 to motor I30. From the motor I30 the current flows through lines I52, contacts I45 and I46 and back through line I42. The operation of solenoid I30 connects lines I58 and I59, causing the current to flow steadily to the motor after the spring pressed button I36 has been released, as described above in connection with switch I31.

The modification shown in Figs. 20 and 21 merely illustrates the utility of the mechanism already described in the modification shown in Figs. 1 to 17 inclusive. In this modification, the safe G is provided with link mechanism I60 which lifts a card drawer case I6I to a position out of the well of the safe. In this position, the inner drawer I62 can be withdrawn beyond the limits of the safe so that the operator oanexamine the cards while still held and supported by the case I6I. Upon the case I6I is supported a card tray I63. The safe G is provided on its inner side with a series of locking notches I64 by which the card case I6I can be supported in any desired position within the safe by bringing the latching bars I65 into engagement with the desired notch. I'hus, if desired, the card case I6I can be dropped to position within the well while still leaving theexpansible tray I63 outside of the well. The-tray may be rotatably mounted and may be extensibly mounted as desired. If desired, additional pulleys I66 may be employed for guiding and controlling the movement of the mechanism in its up'wardanddownward direction.. In order to get the additional height desired in connection with the" drawer case I6I and tray I66, the link mechanism I 60 is supported upon elevated brackets I61. Also, the upper link member is connected directly to the casing I 6I rather than to a platform therebelow. .In other words, the drawer casing I6I is itself utilized as a supporting platform for carrying the card tray I63 thereabove, the drawer casing I6I being so supported as to be elevated to the position shown in Fig. 20. The spring motor mechanism is identical, with that heretofore described in connection with Figs. 1 to .l'linclusive.

In the modification shownjin Fig. 22, the safe H is provided with a door H. The driving drum I18 is mounted on a haft I19 journaled in the wall of safe I8 and is provided at its rear side with a friction plate I80, the plate being enclosed by the metal members I8I. The door H is provided with a motor I82 housed within motor casing I83. The motor drives through the gear and worm connections the shaft I84 which is provided at its inner end with a friction plate I85. Shaft I84 is supported within the shaft casing I86 The motor is connected to a limit switch I81 of well-known construction which is adapted to be operated for breaking the current by the lug I88 carried by one of the actuating or raising elements I89. The parallel guide members I90 are of the construction heretofore described and need not be described again in detail. The flexible element I9I extends through thefiange I92 secured to one of the members I 90 and the nut I93 below the flange is secured to the stem I94 of a cushioning member I95 which prevents rapid descent of the links I94. The usual oil or liquid shock-absorber device may be employed or, if desired, springs, etc., may be employed.

In the operation of the device, the door H is swung to the rear position shown in Fig. 3, thus bringing friction plate I into contact with friction plate I80. The motor drives the shaft I84 in but one direction and causes shaft I29 and the drum I18 to rotate so as to raise the parallel members I and thus elevate the turntable. When the turntable has reached its upper limit, the member I88 strikes the limit switch I81 and causes the motor to stop after the turntable is above the well of the safe and in a position whereby the members carried by it may be expanded beyond the limits of the well. To lower the tray, it is only necessary to pull the door forward so as to separate the friction clutch disks I80 and I85. The weight of the material carried by the tray causes the tray and other parts to descend into the well of the safe, the speed of the fall being retarded by the oil check I95. Thus, in case of fire or other emergency, it is only necessary for the user to draw the door to closed position, the lowering of the tray being automatic. Starting of the motor for raising the tray is likewise automatic, the lower portion of the door, when swung to the vertical position shown in Fig. 20, contacting the starter switch I86 and thus setting the motor in operation.

While in the foregoing specification, we have set forth three modifications for raising and lowering a platform or file device out of the well of a safe to permit its expansion and while we have also shown a number of illustrative expansible devices, it will be understood that a great variety of modifications may be employed to carry out the purpose and objects of the invention, such modifications and changes being 0bvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. In combination, a safe having a door adapted to be moved to one side thereof, support ing structure vertically movable within the well of said safe, means for raising said supporting structure including a rotatable mounted member extending through a side of said safe and provided with a disk plate, and motor driven means carried by said door and including a driven clutch plate adapted to be brought into engagement with said first-mentioned plate when said door is moved to a position to the side of the safe. Y

2. In combination, a safe having a door adapted to be moved to one side thereof, supporting structure vertically movable within the well of said safe, means for raising said supporting structure including a rotatable mounted member extending through a side of said safe and provided with adisk plate, motor driven means carriedby said door and including a driven clutch plate adapted to be brought into engagement with said first-mentioned plate when said door is moved to a position'to the side of the safe, and automatic means for starting and stopping said motor after the supporting structure has been moved from lower to raised position.

3. 'In a structure of the character set forth, a safe providing a vertical well, lazy tongs se.- cured within said safe and providing supporting members, a file support carried by said members, flexible members engaging said lazy tongs, pulleys mounted in the upper portion of said safe and receiving said flexible members, and motor means supported in said safe below'said pulleys for exerting tension upon said flexible members tending to elevate said supporting members.

4. In a structure of the character set forth, a safe providing a vertical well, lazy tongs secured within said safe and providing supporting members, a file support carried by said members, flexible members engaging said lazy tongs, pulleys mounted in the upper portion of said safe and receiving said flexible members, a drum below said pulleys and receiving said flexible mem bers, and motor means for rotating said drum for exerting tension upon said flexible members tending to elevate said supporting members.

5. In a structure of the character set forth, a safe providing a vertical well, lazy tongs secured within said safe and providing supporting members, a file support carried by said members, flexible members engaging said lazy tongs, spring motor means for exerting tension upon said flexible members tending to elevate said supporting members, and means for changing the tension of said spring motor.

6. In a structure of the character, set forth, a safe providing a vertical well, lazy tongs se cured within said safe and providing supporting members, a support member carried by said members, flexible members engaging said lazy tongs, pulleys supported in the upper portion of said safe and receiving said flexible members, a grooved drum supported for rotation within said safe to which drum said flexible members are connected, and means tending to rotate said drum for exerting tension upon said flexible members. 4

7. In a structure of the character set forth, a safe providing a vertical well, lazy tongs secured within said safe and providing supporting members, an expansible file support carried by said supporting members, flexible members engaging said lazytongs, pulleys mounted in the upper portion of said safe and receiving said flexible members, and motor means for exerting tension upon said flexible members tending to elevate said supporting members above said safe.

8. In a structure of the class set forth, a safe providing a vertical well, a supporting device, extension members carrying said supporting device and mounted within said safe so that their motion has at least a component thereof in a vertical direction, guides within said. well for constraining said members to travel in a vertical path to a position above said well, pulleys mounted in the upper portion of said safe, flexible members received through said pulleys and adapted to exert tension upon said support to elevate the same, and motor means for exerting tension upon said flexible members to elevate said support.

9. In a structure of the class set forth, a safe providing a vertical well, guide members within said safe, a flle support, extension members carrying said file support and constrained to travel in a vertical path by said guide members, pulleys mounted in the upper portion of said safe, flexible members received by said pulleys and engaging said extension members, and motor means for exerting tension upon said flexible members to elevate said file support above said safe.

10. In a structure of the class set forth, a safe providing a vertical well, guide members secured within said safe and equipped with lazy tong extension members, a support carried by said extension members and guided thereby for vertical movement, flexible members engaging said extension members and adapted to draw the same upwardly, and motor means mounted within said well for exerting tension upon said flexible members to elevate said support device.

' WILLIAM C. MILLER.

- EARL BOUGHTON. 

